health and Safety in the field

to ensure a safe trip

stay together and be aware:

Whether you are on a domestic or foreign trip NEVER leave the safety of the group. One of the very best ways to injure yourself, become lost, or fall victim to crime is to wonder off alone. If you must leave the group be sure that somebody in authority knows about it, and if at all possible, take somebody with you. Be aware of your surroundings. We call this “Situation Awareness.” What this means is that you don’t become so focused on what you are doing that you miss obvious signs of danger around you.

For example;

If you are clearing a beach of debris and notice everyone grabbing their children and running for high ground, it probably means you should take note and do the same.

If you are working with a group of foreign nationals that are smiling and laughing until a small group of men walk up, at which time they go silent as all the song birds fly off, you might begin to think these may not be friendly men.

I know these are exaggerated, but be aware of changes both subtle and dramatic. It also means that you begin anticipating potential situations and study your surroundings for escape routes or safe people/places. That way if something does happen, you’ve already devised a plan of action you can now execute, rather then panicking and freezing. A rule of thumb is, if in a moment of adrenaline induced fear you have to think about what to do, you probably wont do it.

staying healthy

hydration:

Staying Hydrated (or having enough water to maintain normal metabolic functions) is of major importance while working in the field. The phrase, “Drink or Die,” is a motto we literally live by. Most of the water your body gives up naturally is lost through, perspiration, and breathing. If your body continues to loose more water then it is taking in, you will begin to “Dehydration.” While the term “Dehydration” refers to the total water loss within an organism, “Hypovolemia” is a reduction in the amount of blood plasma resulting from a loss of sodium. Heavy perspiration while working in hot and humid, or in some cases cold and very dry environments, can lead to a depletion of both water and sodium. The best way to monitor your state of hydration is through urine output. If you develop a full bladder every 3 to 5 hours and your urine is lightly colored or colorless you are most likely remaining hydrated. If, however, you are going many hours without a need to urinate, or not urinating at all, and your urine is dark colored, you probably need to be taking in more fluids and possibly sodium.

Symptoms of Dehydration May Include;

Decreased urination, with dark coloration, thirst, fatigue, irritability, lack of tears, dry mouth, dizziness, and confusion. As it progresses you may see; sleeplessness, fainting, seizures and increased pulse and respiration, decreased blood pressure, increase in body temperature with no sweat, grogginess, and nausea. If left untreated the condition could lead to death.

Prevention

It is extremely important to remain hydrated and is very easily accomplished by drinking lots of water and if need be replacing your electrolytes with additives or drinks such as: Gatorade Coconut water Revive Powerade Pedialyte Emergen-C

A good rule of thumb is not to wait until you are thirsty to drink._________________________________________________________________________________________

making sure your water is safe to drink

Ingesting contaminated water is an almost sure way of introducing anyone of a long list of bacteria, viruses or chemicals that can lead to illness or disease, or at the very least least a very uncomfortable trip. There are very few places in the world that we as Americans can drink water from public water systems, taps, wells, restaurants, etc. without risk. A good rule of thumb is to assume that all the water you will be offered or come across is contaminated unless it comes in a commercially sealed bottle and you watch that seal be broken. Some restaurants that cater to foreigners will serve purified water, make sure you are with someone (like your Team Leader) that can verify that it is safe to drink, and make sure the ice they add to your drink was made from purified water. When in the field you will hopefully have access to safe drinking water. To be absolutely certain you may want to invest in (and I STRONGLY recommend you do) some sort of portable means of filtering or purifying your water. We’ll list some of the options available along with the pros and cons.

Filter Bottles, Pumps and Straws

These are some of the most commonly used devices in the field today. There are a number of companies that manufacture different types of personal use water bottles, pumps and drinking straw filters. Some of the devises use mechanical filtering elements, some use chemical, such as carbon and iodine, some use ultraviolet light to kill microorganisms. These systems are usually affordable, easy to carry and will protect you from most organisms you may come across. While most of the filtering water bottles, pumps and straws will remove not only dangerous organisms and suspended particulates, the ultraviolet will only kill microorganisms and are not as effective unless the water is clear.

Purification Tablets

Purification tablets are small easy to carry and inexpensive. The most commonly used tablets are either iodine or chlorine based. Both have their limitations and may not be totally effective at killing all possible pathogens. They are, however, much better then nothing. Iodine is the least effective at killing certain pathogens, can have a strong taste (some kits offer tablets that eliminate the iodine taste), and would not be good for those allergic to iodine. It does react more quickly and has a longer shelf life once opened. Chlorine is more effective at killing certain pathogens that iodine won’t kill, does not have as strong a taste, but takes much longer to work and has a very limited shelf life once opened. The filtering options are obviously preferred to these, but again, these are much better then nothing.

Boiling

If for some reason you are without any filtering equipment or purification tablets, boiling has and will continue to be one of the most effective ways of eliminating pathogens from your drinking water. To boil water you will obviously need a heat source and a pan or cup that you can boil your water in. Once the water is brought to at boil (212 degrees fahrenheit or 100 degrees Celsius), continue to boil for 10 minutes. This will ensure the destruction of all intestinal affecting microbes. Although boiling with destroy the harmful microbes it will not eliminate sediments or impurities.

SODIS (Solar Disinfection)

Now you are in a real bind, no filters, no purifying tablets and no way to boil water, all you have is some plastic water bottles and a lot of sunshine. There is a technic for disinfecting water using nothing more then a good old fashioned PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), or your everyday plastic water bottle, and the heat and ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The technic is called “Solar Disinfection” or SODIS. To disinfect water using the SODIS method, fill a bottle about three-quarters full, place the lid back on it and vigorously shake it for about 20 seconds. Remove the lid and fill the bottle to the top. Now replace the lid and set the bottle in the sun. Sloping surfaces, such as corrugated metal roofs work really well by exposing more of the bottle to the sunlight and helping transfer solar heat to the water. Leave the bottles in direct sunlight for 6 hours or in cloudy conditions for two days. This should inactivate waterborne microorganisms leaving your water safe to drink.

making sure your food is safe to eat

FOOD

The traveler's mantra, attributed to colonial explorers, goes something like this: "Cook it, wash it, peel it or forget it." Freshly cooked foods are less likely to acquire airborne contaminants, and raw foods such as salads, and fruits and vegetables without peels, are often likely culprits for trouble. Fruits and vegetables you can peel yourself are usually safe. Make sure that if you are eating “washed foods” the foods, and utensils used for preparing the foods, were washed with disinfected water. If you can not be sure, skip the fresh salad and raw vegetables and stick with the well-done cooked food. There is a lot more that can be said here, but as a general rule try and avoid eating anywhere unless it has been recommended to you by your Team Leader or trusted guide.

avoiding hyperthermia and hypothermia

HYPERTHERMIA You are at a much higher risk of hyperthermia when high temperatures are combined with high humidity, strenuous activity and dehydration. Again, it is a condition in which the core temperature begins to rise and the body is unable to stop it. It can also be referred to as “Heat Stroke.” If left untreated hyperthermia can be fatal. To avoid hyperthermia be aware of your environment, pay attention to your body, maintain proper hydration, limit strenuous activity, and let someone know if you are starting to experience any symptoms of hyperthermia. Hyperthermia can effect anyone regardless of age or physical conditioning. Symptoms of hyperthermia include; hot, dry skin, nausea, headaches, dizziness, fainting, confusion, hostile or seemingly intoxicated behavior, increased heart rate and respiration, seizures, eventually organ failure, unconsciousness and death. To avoid hyperthermia stay hydrated and make sure you are sweating when it is hot and humid. Recognize that you will NOT be able to work as hard as you would in a cooler environment and adjust. Take breaks and get out of the sun, or the heat generating environment (enclosed areas, protective clothing, etc.).

To treat hyperthermia you have to cool the body. Get to a cooler place (out of sun, protective clothing, enclosed area, etc.), drink water or electrolyte replacement drinks, apply water to the head and neck, remove clothing and apply water to exposed skin, fan to increase evaporation, a cool shower or immersion is also very effective.

hypothermia

Hypothermia occurs when a person is exposed to cold and the body is unable to replenish the heat being lost. if untreated the core temperature of the body may become too low to maintain normal metabolism and in extreme cases may lead to death. Hyperthermia is just the opposite and is a result of the core temperature of the body becoming too warm to maintain normal metabolism.

90% of the body’s heat is lost through the skin, while the other 10% is lost through the lungs. The best way to avoid hypothermia is to cover the skin with warm, dry and loose fitting clothing and to avoid environmental conditions such as extreme low temperatures, wind, rain, etc. that lead to heat loss. The onset of hypothermia usually begins with shivering, as the body attempts to create heat through muscle contraction. As it does so, it burns up glucose stored in the cells and may lead to a hypoglycemic condition. As the body’s temperature lowers, the shivering becomes more violent and movement becomes more labored and mis-coordinated. There may be stumbling and mild confusion along with a paleness and blue coloration in the extremities. As the core temperature continues to decrease so does the heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. As a person enters into the severe state of hypothermia, they tend to become confused and irrational. Speaking and thinking becomes very labored and difficult. They may not be able to use their arms or legs and is some cases begin to exhibit “paradoxical undressing,” where they begin taking off their clothing and “terminal burrowing,” where they crawl into small enclosed areas.

To help avoid hypothermia keep you body covered and dry, wool and synthetic clothing works better then cotton clothing in cold environments. The “layering method,” involves a layer of moisture wicking undergarments covered by heavier layers of warmer/protective clothing, that may be removed and replaced as needed.

To treat hypothermia, remove the person from the cold/wet environment. Replace wet clothing with dry and if possible introduce a heat source. Warm, sweetened drinks can help but avoid alcohol and caffeine. If you are in a place where there is no shelter, then build one. Get out of the wet and wind (wind increases the “chill factor” and dramatically reduces temperatures, this coupled with moisture dramatically exacerbates the situation), build a fire and used shared body heat if necessary.

Water wicks heat away from the body much more rapidly then air. If you are in a water environment your chances of survival increase with the use of life vests. This has nothing to do with preventing heat loss, but most water victims die do to drowning as they begin to loose the use of their muscles and limbs to swim. A life vest may buy you that extra time as you await a rescue.